Miniature rose plant named Minuco

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by the red color of the very double flowers and by the prostrate spreading habit of growth.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy,low growing ground cover type rose plant of the miniature class; thevariety being primarily characterized--as to novelty--by (A) the mediumred coloration of the flowers which in general color effect are similarto Red Cascade (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,962) and (B) by thespreading ground cover growth habit.

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers usually borne in clusters or sprays.

Little or no fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of dense, spreading habit with semi-glossysmall foliage, with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similarin form and size to Red Cascade (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,962).

The plant, which has a normal height of 8-12 inches and a spread of upto 5 feet, can easily be maintained at lesser spread by occasionaltrimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily outdoors; is good forgrowing in pots, tubs, hanging baskets or as a ground cover; andprovides excellent garden decoration.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at my nurserylocated at Dallas, Tex., under conditions of careful control andobservation, as a seedling of Red Cascade (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat.No. 3,962), the seed parent being Red Cascade with the pollen parentbeing (supposedly) the same.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully reproduced it,at my nursery as aforesaid, by cuttings; the reproductions having runtrue in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage, budand flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline;all major color plate identifications being by reference to the BritishColor Council Horticultural Color Chart, except where common terms ofcolor definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; dense; spreading; seedling; outdoors; garden decoration;potted plant; ground cover.

Class: Miniature. International identification: Minuco. Commercialsynonym: Royal Carpet.

Flowers borne: Usually in cluster or spray of 5 to 15 flowers.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium to long length; slender but sturdy; medium green,sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors); hairs -- several and small.

Before calyx breaks.--Size -- small. Form short; pointed with severalfoliaceous apendages and several tiny hairs on surface of bud; withfoliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to less thanone-half of its length. Color -- medium green, occasionally tinted withbronze (outdoors).

As calyx breaks.--Color -- red.

Opening.--Opens well in all weather.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 35 mm (11/2").

Petalage very double.--Averaging 50 petals or more, arranged regularlyplus sometimes several small petaloids.

Form.--Flat, with petals reflexing loosely outward, and later atmaturity, rolled loosely outward and downward. Open flowers show nostamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate -- with rounded tip;intermediate -- broad lanceolate with rounded, sometimes acute, tip;inside -- lanceolate with acute tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown outdoors (1984 season),Dallas, Tex.

Outside petal:

Outside surface.--Near Currant Red 821/3 (or lighter) becoming nearwhite at base. Note: Actual color (to the eye) appears darker thanshown, in part because of blackish shadings and in part to petal sheennot picked up by color film.

Intermediate petal:

Outside surface.--Similar to outside petal.

Inside surface.--Similar to outside petal.

Inner petal:

Outside surface.--Same as intermediate petal.

Inside surface.--Same as intermediate petal. Mature flowers becomelighter color as they age.

General color effect; newly opened flowers.--Bright medium red.

Three days open.--Color similar to newly opened flowers but lessbrilliant.

Flower longevity. (October 1984).--Plant in ground (garden) or pot 7-10days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Few or none.

Pollen.--None.

Pistils.--Sometimes malformed.

Styles.--Often malformed.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--None.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved against peduncle.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; small;leathery; semi-glossy.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, lanceolate, apex acute; base rounded or roundedacute. Margin serrate. Color: medium green; new growth -- normal(medium) green. Rachis: medium strength; upperside quite smooth;grooved; underside sparsely thorny with few or no tiny prickles.Stipules: short to medium long; narrow width; short length; narrowpoints which turn out usually at about 45 degrees.

Growth:

Habit.--Bushy; spreading; much branched.

Growth.--Free vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium; slender; weeping; prostrate.

Main stems.--Color: medium green.

Thorns.--Several; slender straight, inclined slightly downward; color;tan. Prickles -- none. Hairs -- none.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns: several; short to medium length;slender; nearly straight, inclined downward. Medium oval base. Prickles:none. Hairs: none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary inslight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under whichthe variety may be grown; the present description being of the varietyas grown at Dallas, Tex.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant of hardy, dense, much branched, prostrate (spreading) habit,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds andflowers of a medium red color, being of a shade generally near (orsimilar to) Currant Red 821/3, the bud and flower resembling the varietyRed Cascade (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,962) in the form and size; andfurther characterized by a plant of vigorous, much branched, prostrategrowth habit, easy to propagate from cuttings, with an abundance offlowers borne usually in clusters of 5 to 15.